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Tarik Skubal Trade Talks Expected to Heat Up This Weekend
Trade talks surrounding Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal are expected to heat up this weekend, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Skubal is easily the biggest name on this year's trade market, and the Tigers might also have the second-best starting pitcher available in right-hander Casey Mize, who was scratched from his start on Friday with the deadline approaching. ESPN's Jeff Passan said earlier this week that Skubal will be traded, so now it's just a matter of when and how big a haul the Tigers can get for him. The tricky part of the whole situation is that Skubal is set for free agency after the 2026 campaign, so it will be interesting to see if a contending team that is serious about acquiring Skubal will also double down and sign him to a long-term contract extension. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to be viewed as the favorites for Skubal, with the Milwaukee Brewers potentially jumping into the mix as well. In 16 starts this year, the 29-year-old two-time Cy Young winner has gone 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 116 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched. Skubal bounced back quickly after having surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow in the first half of the season.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Max Clark a Must-Add Ahead of MLB Debut
Fantasy managers in all league formats need to consider picking up Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark off the waiver wire before he makes his major-league debut this weekend. The club's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is coming up from Triple-A Toledo after slashing .276/.368/.434 with 11 home runs and 21 bases in 90 games with the Mud Hens. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft should immediately take over in Detroit as the starting center fielder due to his prospect pedigree and five-category upside. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder, who hits from the left side, has only average pop, but he has started lofting the ball in the air more often. Clark profiles more as a strong table-setter for the Tigers atop the lineup, and he could form a dangerous one-two punch for years to come with infielder Kevin McGonigle. Most intriguing for fantasy purposes with Clark is his plus-plus speed, so fantasy managers in need of that need to hop on Clark immediately.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Tigers Scratching Casey Mize From Friday's Start
The Detroit Tigers are scratching right-hander Casey Mize from his start on Friday against the Athletics, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize is not injured, and no trade is in place, but the Tigers are being cautious with the Aug. 3 trade deadline looming. Detroit will go with a bullpen game on Friday. For the time being, Mize is scheduled to make his next start after the deadline on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers are viewed as sellers going into Monday's deadline, with lefty ace Tarik Skubal being the real prize from Detroit for contenders, but Mize could also be dealt during the best year of his MLB career. Going into Friday's action, the 29-year-old has gone 4-6 with a career-best 2.70 ERA (2.58 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 19 walks in 86 2/3 innings across 16 starts in his sixth year in the majors. Mize hasn't been without injuries, but when healthy, he has posted a career-best 24.9% strikeout rate with an excellent 5.6% walk rate.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Tarik Skubal Expected to be Traded by Monday's Deadline
ESPN's Jeff Passan thinks that Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will be traded by Monday's deadline. The Tigers knew that they needed to go on a really big run in July for Skubal to stick around, and they didn't do it. They are currently 51-58 (six games back in the American League Central), and they sit 4.5 games behind the last wild-card spot in the AL, with four teams in front of them. Passan mentions the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are the favorites at this point, as the teams in the best position to pull off a blockbuster trade for Skubal, who has won the AL Cy Young in each of the last two seasons. The 29-year-old southpaw missed some time in the first half of the season due to surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies, but otherwise he's pitched well in 2026, going 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 96 2/3 frames across his 16 starts. Moving to a contender like the Brewers or Dodgers will definitely boost Skubal's fantasy appeal to close out the season. Stay tuned.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Tigers to Promote Top Prospect Max Clark to Major Leagues
The Detroit Tigers are promoting top outfield prospect Max Clark to the major leagues. Clark is currently viewed as MLB.com's No. 13 overall prospect and the top-ranked prospect in the Detroit system. Clark has spent his entire 2026 campaign at Triple-A Toledo but has recently begun to take major strides at the plate. Over his last 33 contests (since June 12), the budding superstar has posted a .323/.426/.538 slash line with a dominant .964 OPS. During this noted stretch, Clark has hit seven doubles, seven home runs, and swiped nine bags. Prior to this, Clark carried a much lower .248/.355/.374 line over the first 57 games of the Triple-A season. Given his above-average eye, increasing power, and high-end speed, Clark carries must-add value in all standard leagues ahead of his MLB debut.
Source: Emily Waldon
Source: Emily Waldon
Max Clark Knocking on MLB Door Amid Torrid Triple-A Stretch
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has enjoyed an impressive start at Triple-A and is now firmly on the stash radar in all standard leagues. Over his last 18 games at Toledo, the former third overall pick has been nothing short of dominant, carrying a .343/.470/.597 line with a 1.060 OPS. During this noted stretch, Clark has hit five doubles, added four home runs, and swiped four bags. Prior to this surge, Clark carried a much lower .261/.342/.388 line over the first 71 games of the Triple-A regular season. While it took time to adjust, Clark is beginning to not only showcase high-end contact skills, but also his raw power. With the Tigers trending towards being sellers at the trade deadline, Clark's MLB debut could come rather quickly in the coming weeks.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Eduardo Valencia Homers Twice in his Seventh Big-League Game
Detroit Tigers rookie catcher/first baseman Eduardo Valencia had a day to remember on Tuesday in the 14-0 win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles in just his seventh game in the majors. Valencia went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .529 and his OPS to 1.791 in a small sample size of seven big-league contests. It was his first game action with the Tigers since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Monday. Per MLB Pipeline, Valencia is considered Detroit's No. 11 overall prospect. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder also homered in his first major-league at-bat on July 9, and he now has four homers in his first seven games in Detroit. Valencia's effort to lower his hands in his batting stance to add more lift this year has certainly paid off, as he also clubbed 17 home runs in 81 games at Triple-A in 2026. The Tigers are rolling with Valencia as Dillon Dingler's backup for what looks like the rest of the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gleyber Torres Drives in Five in Rout of Orioles on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres had his best game since returning from the injured list last week in Tuesday's 14-0 blowout victory over the visiting Baltimore Orioles, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, a season-high five RBI, a run scored, and two strikeouts. The 29-year-old Venezuelan second baseman played in just his 51st game of the season on Tuesday because of injuries, but he's now hitting .272 with a .778 OPS. Torres only has five home runs on the year, but he's never been a big power guy -- one outlier 30-homer campaign back in 2019 with the New York Yankees in his second year in the majors. Where he can help down the stretch is with his batting average, thanks to his high contact rate, and in on-base percentage because of his excellent plate discipline. Torres isn't going to move the needle much in the counting stats, but he can certainly be a boost to your fantasy team's average and OBP the rest of the way if he stays healthy. He's currently rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues, too.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jack Flaherty Expected to Miss More than 15 Days with Current Flexor Strain
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said he expects starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) to miss "more than the minimum" 15 days with his current forearm injury, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 21 due to right flexor inflammation. The veteran right-hander has yet to resume throwing, and it appears he could be facing an extended absence. Across 86 1/3 innings (19 starts) before the injury, Flaherty recorded a 3-8 record with a 4.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts. The 30-year-old has maintained a strong 26.2% strikeout rate this season, but he's walked 10.8% of the batters he's faced and has allowed a 46.2% hard-hit rate. With Flaherty sidelined, Tigers right-hander Keider Montero has rejoined the team's starting rotation.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Kerry Carpenter Exits with Heel Issue
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (heel) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Carpenter was removed from the contest after four innings due to a re-aggravated right heel issue. He was hitless in his two plate appearances before leaving. The left-handed slugger missed Tuesday's game due to the same injury. The Tigers plan to re-evaluate Carpenter, and fantasy managers should get a better timetable on his status after that. He hasn't been helping much lately anyway, going 6-for-52 at the plate this month. He should be considered day-to-day, but a stint on the Injured List wouldn't be shocking.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Max Clark Not Slowing Down Statistically at Triple-A Toledo
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has had a nice month of July at Triple-A Toledo, posting three homers and six RBI while hitting .333 with 13 runs scored and four stolen bases. As Clark continues to hit, he continues to make his case for a big league promotion. As the top prospect in the Tigers system, Clark is the main name to watch as the Tigers roster continues to take shape as the trade deadline nears. Clark has a 60-grade hit tool and a 70-grade run tool and has racked up 21 stolen bases at Toledo this year. At just 21 years old, the Tigers will have to make a decision on how they want Clark's career to progress. He has shown the capability to hit at a high level at Triple-A and the next step could be Detroit, but do the Tigers want to bring up Clark at such a young age? It's worth taking a chance in fantasy by stashing Clark and waiting for a promotion, especially if the Tigers are active at the trade deadline.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Tarik Skubal Boosts Trade Value With 12-Strikeout Performance
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal was in Cy Young form in Friday's 2-1 narrow win over the division-rival Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, allowing just one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out a season-high 12 hitters in 7 1/3 innings to pick up his seventh win of the year and lower his season ERA to 2.70. It was the 29-year-old southpaw's eighth quality start of the year. Skubal now sits at 7-5 on the 2026 campaign with a 0.92 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 90 innings over his 15 starts. The former ninth-rounder in 2018 out of Seattle University has bounced back nicely after having a minimally invasive procedure to remove loose bodies from his left elbow in the first half of the season. The two-time Cy Young winner has been at his best of late with a 1.48 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 35:5 K:BB in 24 1/3 frames over his four starts in July as he bolsters his trade value with the early August deadline quickly approaching. Any MLB team that acquires Skubal is going to fork over a king's ransom for one of the most dominant arms over the last couple of seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kevin McGonigle Could Be on the Verge of Fantasy Superstardom
Across 443 plate appearances this season, Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle is hitting .281/.388/.422 with nine home runs, 35 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 21-year-old does not profile as a significant value-add in the power categories for fantasy managers, as he owns just a 7.6% barrel rate and a 38% hard-hit rate. However, McGonigle offers an elite plate approach, especially for a rookie. He's logged a 14.2% walk rate while striking out in just 13.8% of his plate appearances. McGonigle's ability to get on base has allowed him to cement himself as the near-everyday leadoff hitter in Detroit, which should keep him near the top of the runs-scored leaderboard for the rest of 2026. He also offers managers quality production in the batting average and speed categories. If McGonigle can hit for even slightly more power in the final few months of the season, he could emerge as a true five-category contributor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Casey Mize Set to Start on Saturday
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) will start on Saturday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park, according to MLB.com. Mize was hit by a comebacker on his left wrist and aggravated a groin injury in his last start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, but the two injuries weren't enough to keep him from going this weekend in Motown in a plus matchup. He was able to throw his normal between-starts bullpen session this week and is ready to roll, so fantasy managers should get ready to throw him back into their starting lineups. The 29-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has had a career year in 2026, going 4-6 with a 2.79 ERA (2.62 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 19 walks in 80 2/3 frames across his 15 starts. Mize has dealt with some injuries and spent time on the injured list, but when available, he's been great, and he also has a career-best 25.6% strikeout rate. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his last four starts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brewers Getting Aggressive, Could Target Tarik Skubal at Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have the best record in franchise history to this point in the season and the second-biggest division lead in baseball, are prepared to "adopt a more aggressive approach" at this year's trade deadline compared to recent years, sources familiar with the club's thinking have told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It means club officials have touched base with the Detroit Tigers about ace left-hander Tarik Skubal and the San Diego Padres about flamethrowing closer Mason Miller. "I've been on the phone a lot," said president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. "We're definitely active." Despite an aggressive approach, the Brewers have been telling teams they won't decimate their farm system to land a high-profile player, especially if he's just a rental. Milwaukee has assigned high value to their top-100 prospects -- shortstops Jesus Made and Luis Pena, and outfielder Josh Adamczewski. The Brewers' primary focus is believed to be reinforcing a pitching staff that owns the second-best ERA (3.44) despite losing starters Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester, and high-leverage reliever Angel Zerpa to season-ending injuries.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
